Jim Morrison Gravesite Bust Recovered After 37 Years

Nearly four decades after it vanished without a trace, the iconic bust of Jim Morrison has been found purely by chance. French authorities confirmed this week that the long-lost sculpture of The Doors frontman, stolen from his Paris gravesite in 1988, was recovered during an unrelated financial crime investigation.

The 300-pound bust, sculpted by Croatian artist Mladen Mikulin, was originally placed atop Morrison’s tomb in Père Lachaise cemetery in 1981 on the 10th anniversary of his death. It disappeared just seven years later, setting off decades of speculation among fans and rock historians alike.

Now, after 37 years in the dark, the Paris Regional Judicial Police Directorate revealed the recovery via Instagram, stating the discovery was made during a search carried out by its Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade. The prosecutor’s office noted it was a “chance discovery” made under the authority of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office not the result of any direct search for the artifact.

Jim Morrison, legendary singer and lyricist of The Doors, was found dead in 1971 at just 27 years old. He was buried at Père Lachaise, Paris’s famed cemetery also home to the graves of Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf. Morrison’s resting place has become one of the city’s most visited and iconic sites, drawing thousands of fans every year, particularly on July 3, the anniversary of his death.

For years, visitors to the gravesite have honored the memory of Morrison without the bronze likeness that once marked the tomb. Some left flowers and tributes; others sparked rowdy gatherings. On the 20th anniversary of his death in 1991, police were forced to use tear gas to disperse crowds that overwhelmed the cemetery.

Jeff Jampol, manager of Morrison’s estate, responded to the news with cautious optimism:

“Obviously it’s a piece of history, and one Jim’s family wanted there on his grave, so it’s gratifying to see that it’s been recovered.”

What happens next remains unclear. While Morrison fans would likely welcome a return of the sculpture to the original gravesite, officials have not announced any plans to reinstall the bust, which could draw massive crowds and complicate logistics at the already-popular cemetery.

Tour guides in Paris are already imagining the surge in visitors. “It would be incredible if they put the bust back... but the cemetery wouldn’t even be able to hold that many people,” said Paris tour guide Jade Jezzini.

For now, the bust is a recovered artifact of rock history, a symbol of Morrison’s enduring legacy and a reminder that even after 50 years, his impact on music and culture is still impossible to erase.

Share this story with fellow fans and subscribe to our newsletter for more cultural moments and historic discoveries.